Seeing Qin Yize walk over, Gu Qiaoqiao leaned back on the sofa, quietly appraising Qin Yize. It seemed that nothing had changed, presumably because with Qin Yizeâs personality, he wouldnât say anything excessive.
She wondered if they got the answers they were looking for.
Seeing Qin Yize come out, Fong Lei reached out his hand, signaling to Qin Yize, "Sit down first and have some tea."
Qin Yize glanced at Qiaoqiao, and Gu Qiaoqiao quickly gave him a gentle smile. Qin Yizeâs cold expression gradually softened, and he sat down as suggested. Fong Lei poured him a cup of tea and placed it in front of him, casually asking, "Did you get any useful information?"
Qin Yize took a sip of tea, "No."
Gu Qiaoqiao glanced around but didnât speak.
Fong Lei seemed to have anticipated this outcome and wasnât surprised. He looked over at Qin Yize, "That womanâs thoughts are a bit scattered, always avoiding the question, but we did find out some useful information..."
"Iâll provide you some documents later; Qiaoqiao and I have things to do, so weâll leave." With that, Qin Yize put down the teacup and stood up.
Fong Lei patted Qin Yize on the shoulder, suddenly changing the topic, "Ah Ze, I saw your Sister Yan."
Qin Yizeâs brow twitched, and he exchanged a glance with Gu Qiaoqiao, then looked back at Fong Lei, "Sister Yan is back in the Imperial Capital?"
"Yes, sheâs back in the Imperial Capital." Fong Lei nodded, gazing at Qin Yize with a meaningful look.
At this moment, Gu Qiaoqiao understood why Brother Fong had kept talking about Liang Yan earlier and was now probing Qin Yize. It seemed he suspected the two of them.
Since there was suspicion, it indicated that Fong Lei knew Sister Yanâs identity.
Otherwise, Fong Lei wouldnât be acting so strangely today.
And Qin Yize, without betraying any emotion, frowned slightly and asked, "Oh, Sister Yan will be staying for a few days? Havenât you stopped keeping in touch? Whatâs this, a reconciliation?"
Fong Lei glanced at Qin Yize, and after a moment, he waved his hand, no longer dwelling on the subject, "Itâs still the same. Well then, donât you have things to do? Iâll see you out."
As Qin Yize started the car and slowly drove away from the entrance of the East Branch Bureau, Gu Qiaoqiao looked back for a while before turning and smiling at Qin Yize, "Ah Ze, do you think Brother Fong has figured out Sister Yanâs true identity?"
Qin Yize pondered for a moment, then smiled, "You got it; Brother Fong was testing me just now."
Joy flashed in Gu Qiaoqiaoâs eyes, and she suddenly realized that Brother Fongâs demeanor was no longer the same as before.
The shadow that once lingered around his eyes had quietly dissipated.
"Who cares anyway; we wonât say anything, and Sister Yan certainly wonât either. Besides, Sister Yan doesnât know youâre aware..."
Qin Yizeâs eyebrows carried a hint of a smile, "Indeed, I will not admit anything."
Gu Qiaoqiao chuckled.
Soon, the two arrived at Gu Garden.
After dinner, Gu Qiaoqiao took out the Hundred Miles of Mountains Map, and at this moment, no one at home disturbed her. Qin Yize stayed with the family, chatting about the arrangements for the Spring Festival...
The hall at the Gu Garden was full of joy and laughter.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wen and Ling Nan, who knew what Gu Qiaoqiao was up to, restrained their excitement and waited for Gu Junbai.
Gu Qiaoqiao hadnât spoken to the family yet because she didnât know Gu Junbaiâs thoughts.
This time, as she entered, Gu Qiaoqiao felt relaxed and cheerful.
Time here had indeed stopped.
There was no sun visible, yet it was always daytime.
Standing on the grass, Gu Qiaoqiao observed how lush the flowers and trees were, nourished by spiritual energy and, surely, sunlight, though she couldnât see it.
This place remained unchanged from when Gu Qiaoqiao last left it, and she thought that the Gu Family Ancestor must have been someone who could endure solitude; otherwise, staying here would be terribly boring.
She looked around and then saw Gu Junbai waving at her from the open window of the wooden building. The faint aroma of tea wafted from within.
Gu Qiaoqiao quickly made her way to the wooden building. Last time, she had only seen it from a distance, and upon closer inspection, she was surprised.
She hadnât expected the inside to be so spacious; from outside, it seemed so small.
The ground floor was about several hundred square meters, with a large hall upheld by four red lacquered wooden pillars. The yellow floor gleamed softly, and the hall was fully furnished, adorned with exquisite carvings and paintings all around.
It seemed more like a small palace than a mere hall.
Each floor was meticulously and elaborately arranged, showing that the Gu Family Ancestor valued living well.
Gu Qiaoqiao didnât linger long and quickly went up to the third floor.
The view here was the best, and the interior was elegantly arranged. Gu Junbai wore white linen casual attire, his long hair tied back with a jade clasp, his features refined. He was making tea on a white jade stone table.
His demeanor was natural and effortless, with poetic elegance naturally flowing from his fingertips, exuding an indescribable artistic charm.
This was a demeanor that modern people mostly lacked today.
Seeing Gu Qiaoqiao come in, he smiled at her, pointing to the opposite side of the tea table, "Have a seat and drink some tea, itâs freshly brewed, very fragrant..."
Gu Qiaoqiao contemplated for a moment, realizing time seemed to move slower here than outside. She smiled and sat down on the fluffy rug, taking the cup of freshly brewed tea from Gu Junbai and sipping it lightly.
Although Gu Qiaoqiao didnât know much about tea, she could tell if it tasted good or not; this was likely the best tea she had ever had.
It even contained a hint of spiritual energy that made her feel very comfortable.
Gu Qiaoqiao happily finished the cup of tea and then asked with a smile, "Ancestor, what are your plans? Itâs winter in the North outside now, and the New Year is approaching..."
Gu Junbai took a light sip of tea, then set the cup down, looking at Gu Qiaoqiao, and slowly said, "Qiaoqiao, Iâm used to being free, and Iâm not great at interacting with family anymore. Although this lineage of the Gu Family only had two brothers in your great-grandfatherâs generation, itâs fairly flourishing now. It wouldnât be appropriate to tell them my identity, given how times have changed; it could cause unnecessary trouble and surprises for the kids. I think itâs best not to disclose the truth for now. Of course, your great-grandfather and your father must know."
Gu Junbai emphasized the last point.
Gu Qiaoqiao thought for a moment and agreed with the Gu Family Ancestor. The family was flourishing now, but it also brought along a lot of complications.